Chapter 35
CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE
DARBY
It’s time for the kittens to go to their homes. They’re eight weeks old, I’ve given them shots, and they’re feisty little things. Tom hasn’t been in to see them much over the past few days, having fully weaned them all off her already.
And I admit, it’s kind of hard to say goodbye.
I’ve already delivered most of the kittens to their new homes, but the calico, the one for Ivy, is curled up asleep in my lap as I drive her into town so I can give her to her new mama.
Ivy gave me the directions to her house, and I find it easily enough. When I knock on the door, it only takes her a few seconds to answer, and her face brightens into a huge smile when she sees the baby in my hands.
“Oh my goodness,” she says as she takes the kitten from me and buries her nose in the soft fur. “Come on in, please.”
I should go back to the ranch, but I haven’t seen Ivy much, and I like her, so I follow her inside. Her home is small and adorable, with pretty blankets on every seat, as if she’s always cold, and she has canvases leaning against the walls, most of them landscape paintings.
“Did you do these yourself?” I ask her.
“Yeah, it’s a hobby,” she replies as the kitten falls asleep against her neck. “When I can find time, of course. Luckily, Dad hired someone at the bar, so I haven’t had to put in many hours there.”
“That’s great,” I reply. “Although, you’re a really good bartender. Your martinis are the best.”
She smirks and shows the cat where her litter box is, just inside the back door, and the smart little thing uses it right away.
“I had a box for them in their stall in the barn, so she’s litter trained,” I tell her. “And she’s been vaccinated. I’ll spay her when she’s about six months old, just remind me and I’ll take care of it.”
“I appreciate it. She’s so cute. I’m going to name her Cally. I know it’s not very original, but—”
“I think it’s adorable.” I reach out and scratch the cat’s ears. “How’s the physical therapy business these days?”
“Never boring,” Ivy says as she sets the kitten down. “Hey, I was going to ask if you’ve heard how Xander’s doing after his injury? I don’t want to intrude, so if it’s not my business, just say so.”
“He had to have knee surgery,” I tell her, which isn’t anything that hasn’t been released to the press. “I think it was his ACL that was torn. He’s working on getting it back to normal.”
She nods, a frown between her brows. “That sucks.”
“He thinks he’ll be back for next season.”
Ivy’s eyes go wide, and she shakes her head slowly side to side. “That’s highly unlikely. I don’t want to sound like a jerk, but that injury is a seven-to-twelve-month recovery. He might be able to rejoin the team by the playoffs next year, but that’s pushing it.”
“He’s stubborn, so if anyone can do it, it’s him. Anyway, I should get back. Thanks for taking Cally. I think you two are going to be great friends.”
The kitten found a bed that was clearly recently bought for her, and she’s curled up in a little ball, snoozing away.
“Thank you for giving her to me.”
I have all the windows rolled down in my car as I drive through Silver Springs on my way back out to the ranch.
I love this town. In the few short months that I’ve lived here, I’ve managed to wander through the shops and get my share of coffees from Buzz, still avoiding Etta’s questions.
Indie makes the best ice cream I’ve ever had, and I just love the whole vibe.
Everyone has been welcoming and kind, and for the first time in my life, I feel like I belong somewhere.
No one whispers behind their hand about my family, no one looks at me funny because of who my father was.
I can just be me here, and it’s been the most liberating experience of my life.
I have a feeling that when the year of internship is up, I’ll be able to work at Dr. Fisher’s practice, or I could start one of my own.
One thing is for sure, I’m staying right here.
I’ll happily live and work here for the rest of my life, and the fact that Tucker has made it abundantly clear that the ranch is my home fills me with pure contentment.
It’s everything I never knew I wanted or needed.
But now that I have it, I can’t imagine living my life anywhere else.
Tucker is out with his crew, moving a herd of cattle from one pasture to another, and it’s going to take him all day.
It’s the herd that’s farthest from the house, so they had to ride out a good distance.
I thought about joining them, but I don’t know the property well enough to venture out by myself yet, so I’ll just wait for him at the house.
Both Sylvester and Tom join me in the garden for about an hour of weeding and picking the first veggies of the season, which makes me giddy with excitement.
“Looks like we’re having green beans for dinner,” I inform the two felines, who are bathing in the rosebushes.
Once I have my gardening mess cleaned up, the cats follow me out to the barn, where I need to clean out the kitten stall. My little guy is already in the house. He’ll be a house cat, and I’m kind of excited about that because I’ve never had my own cat before.
I’ve never had a pet.
Not dwelling on that, I dispose of the cat box, sweep out the cat-food crumbs, and haul the dirty blankets to the laundry room here in the barn to get them washed.
I’ve just started the machine and am on my way to go have a chat with Ellie when a noise catches my attention, and I turn, then freeze.
“You shouldn’t be here.”
“No?” Peter’s leaning on the barn door, his arms crossed over his chest, watching me with hate-filled eyes, even though he’s wearing a smile as if he’s amused. “Says who?”